Apparatus and method for measuring the time elapsed in increasing or in decreasing vehicle speed from one predetermined speed to a second, higher or lower predetermined speed

Abstract

A device for measuring and displaying the time elapsed in increasing or in decreasing the speed of a vehicle from one predetermined velocity to another includes means for starting a clock at a predetermined, selectable speed, means for stopping the counter when a predetermined, higher or lower speed has been attained, means for displaying the time elapsed in increasing the predetermined starting speed to the predetermined, higher or lower ending speed, and means for resetting the clock counter.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for measuring the time required for the speed of a vehicle to decrease from a first predetermined speed to a second, lower predetermined speed comprising means for variably setting a first, predetermined speed from a range comprising a plurality of different speeds greater than zero from which to measure the elapsed time for said vehicle to reach a second lower predetermined speed, including means for generating a signal to start means for measuring said elapsed time; means for variably setting a second, predetermined speed, lower than said first predetermined speed, at which the elapsed time to be measured ends, including means for generating a signal to stop the means for measuring the elapsed time; means for measuring said elapsed time; and means for displaying the elapsed time. 
     
     
       2. A method for measuring the time required for the speed of a vehicle to increase, or alternatively, to decrease from a first predetermined speed to a second higher or lower predetermined speed comprises: measuring the speed of the vehicle; variably selecting a first speed from a range comprising a plurality of different speeds at which a timing interval is to begin; variably selecting a second, predetermined higher or lower speed at which said timing interval is to end; generating a signal representing the speed at which the timing interval is to begin when the vehicle reaches said first predetermined speed; starting a timing device to measure precisely the time required to reach the selected, second higher or lower speed; generating a signal to stop the timing device when the vehicle reaches the selected, second higher or lower speed; and detecting and displaying the time elapsed in increasing or in decreasing vehicle speed from the first selected speed to the second selected speed. 
     
     
       3. The system of claim 1 wherein said second speed is zero or a speed greater than zero. 
     
     
       4. The system of claim 3 wherein said setting means and said means for measuring said elapsed time are digital, and set said first speed and said second speed are measure said elapsed time precisely and accurately. 
     
     
       5. The system of claim 4 wherein each of said setting means is linked to the speedometer for said vehicle, and wherein signals from said speedometer are fed to means for determining that said vehicle has reached said first predetermined speed and means for determining that said vehicle has reached said second predetermined speed. 
     
     
       6. The system of claim 5 wherein said speedometer is a digital speedometer. 
     
     
       7. The system of claim 4 wherein said system includes means for electronically resetting said system to its initial condition at any speed of said vehicle. 
     
     
       8. The system of claim 1 wherein, alternatively, said means for setting a first predetermined speed can be set to a first predetermined speed of zero or a speed greater than zero, and said means for setting a second predetermined speed can be set to a second, higher speed than said first speed, and said system can measure the elapsed time for said vehicle to accelerate from said first speed to said second speed. 
     
     
       9. A system for measuring, precisely and accurately, the time required for the speed of a vehicle to increase from a first, predetermined speed to a second, higher predetermined speed comprising means for variably setting a first, predetermined speed from a range comprising a plurality of different speeds from which to measure the elapsed time for said vehicle to reach a second, higher predetermined speed, including means for generating a signal to start means for measuring said elapsed time; means for variably setting a second, predetermined speed higher than said first predetermined speed, at which the elapsed time to be measured ends, including means for generating a signal to stop the means for measuring the elapsed time; means for measuring said elapsed time; and means for displaying the elapsed time. 
     
     
       10. The system of claim 9 wherein said setting means and said means for measuring said elapsed time are digital, and set said first speed and said second speed, and measure said elapsed time precisely and accurately. 
     
     
       11. The system of claim 10 wherein each of said setting means is linked to the speedometer for said vehicle, and wherein signals from said speedometer are fed to means for determining that said vehicle has reached said first predetermined speed and means for determining that said vehicle has reached said second predetermined speed. 
     
     
       12. The system of claim 11 wherein said speedometer is a digital speedometer. 
     
     
       13. The system of claim 10 wherein said system includes means for electronically resetting said system to its initial condition at any speed of said vehicle. 
     
     
       14. The system of claim 9 wherein, alternatively, said means for setting a first, predetermined speed can be set to a first, predetermined speed of zero or a speed greater than zero, and said means for setting a second, predetermined speed can be set to a second, higer speed than said first speed, and said system can, in this alternative mode, measure the elapsed time for said vehicle to decelerate from said second speed to said first speed. 
     
     
       15. A system for measuring the time required for the speed of a vehicle to increase from a first predetermined speed to a second, higher predetermined speed comprising means for measuring the speed of said vehicle; means for variably setting a first, predetermined speed from which to measure the elapsed time for said vehicle to reach a second, higher predetermined speed including means for generating a signal to start means for measuring said elapsed time; means for variably setting a second, predetermined speed higher than said first predetermined speed, at which the elapsed time to be measured ends, including means for generating a signal to stop the means for measuring the elapsed time; means for measuring elapsed time precisely and accurately; and means for displaying said elapsed time, said means for measuring the speed of said vehicle being adapted to deliver signals representing said first and said second predetermined speeds to said system while continuing to measure vehicle speed at speeds between said first and said second predetermined speeds, at speeds higher than said second speed, and at speeds, if any, lower than said first speed. 
     
     
       16. The system of claim 15 wherein, alternatively, said means for setting a first, predetermined speed can be set to a first, predetermined speed of zero or a speed greater than zero, and said means for setting a second, predetermined speed can be set to a second, higher speed than said first speed, and said system can measure the elapsed time for said vehicle to decelerate from said second speed to said first speed. 
     
     
       17. The system of claim 16 wherein said setting means and said means for measuring said elapsed time are digital, and sets at said first speed and said second speed, and measures an elapsed time, precisely and accurately. 
     
     
       18. The system of claim 15 wherein each of said means is linked to the regular speedometer for said vehicle, and wherein signals from said regular speedometer are fed to said means for determining that said vehicle has reached said first, prdetermined speed and means for determining that said vehicle has reached said second, predetermined speed. 
     
     
       19. The system of claim 15 wherein said system includes means for electronically resetting said system to its initial condition at any speed of said vehicle.